Early Civilization Books - Page 12

Western Civilization: Volume I: To 1715 (Western Civilization to 1715)

Jackson J. Spielvogel

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Fascinating! Comprehensive! 5 out of 5 stars.
42 of 42 people found this review helpful.

I purchased my first copy of this text several years from a college bookstore, not for a class, but because I picked it up, began browsing, and couldn't bear to put it down. Although textbooks are not usually written for pleasure reading, I've found Spielvogel's book to be truly well-written and efficiently designed. Maps, chronologies (timelines), and numerous illustrations and sidebars make the text inviting and accessible.

One of my favorite features is the inclusion of excerpts from original source documents. It's fascinating to read the writings of a medieval merchant of Paris on the subject of marriage, or excerpts from the court record of the trial of Joan of Arc. It provides a vivid, memorable glimpse of life in a different place and time.

I used this textbook to prepare for the Western Civilization CLEP, and I passed with no difficulty at all, earning 6 credits toward my bachelor's degree. Western Civ is a huge topic, and Dr. Spielvogel has done a terrific job of making it not only accessible, but enjoyable. I recommend this book!

Editorial Review:

Join over one million students who have used Spielvogel's texts to be successful in their Western Civilization course! There's a reason WESTERN CIVILIZATION is the best seller: it makes the "story of history" come alive. Spielvogel's text is also loaded with extras, like "Film and History" features that show you a new approach to studying history. Colorful maps and visuals, plus dramatic first-hand historical accounts, combine to bring to life the stories of the people and events that have shaped Western civilization.

Who Built the Moon?

Christopher Knight, Alan Butler

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Moon With A View 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 15 people found this review helpful.

This book provides mathematical evidence that is solid. The author uses this information to take you on a journey that is far outside the box of everyday thinking. Many people might be uncomfortable with the profound implications of his findings. Many people laugh, scoff and dismiss these things because to them, these topics are uncomfortable and distract them from the toils of everyday life.

However, the author presents his case very well, and one must consider the possibilities. The important aspect about this wonderful book is that it gets you thinking. It stretches the borders of your imagination. Did you ever imagine that the moon might indeed be hollow, or synthetically created?

The author lays out the numbers, and sure enough, there are startling "coincidences" present in the Earth/Moon System that are nowhere else in the solar system. A great author once wrote, "Coincidence is a glimpse into a pattern otherwise hidden." The author provides us many glimpses into the nature of Earth's essential traveling companion.

Further, if you take the knowledge provided in this book, combine it with researching the facts about a possibly faked moon landing, and some of Richard C. Hoagland's findings involving monuments on Mars, artifacts on our moon, and Saturn's moon Iapetus, a broader picture is suggested. This book is a great starting point for research into evidence of a forgotten, ancient past. The world as we know it may perhaps be far stranger than we ever imagined. The greatest monument ever created might just be staring down upon us from the nearby sky...

Editorial Review:

The authors of Civilization One return, bringing new evidence about the Moon that will shake up our world. Christopher Knight and Alan Butler realized that the ancient system of geometry they presented in their earlier, breakthrough study works as perfectly for the Moon as it does the Earth. They found a consistent sequence of integer numbers that they can apply to every major aspect of the Moon; no such pattern emerges for any other planet or moon in the solar system. In addition, Knight and Butler discovered that the Moon possesses few or no heavy metals and has no core—something that should not be possible. Their persuasive conclusion: if higher life only developed on Earth because the Moon is exactly what it is and where it is, it becomes unreasonable to cling to the idea that the Moon is a natural object—an idea with profound implications.
 

Sprezzatura: 50 Ways Italian Genius Shaped the World

Peter D'Epiro, Mary Desmond Pinkowish

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A remarkable achievement 5 out of 5 stars.
16 of 20 people found this review helpful.

Sprezzatura is a remarkable achievement. D'Epiro's and Pinkowish's tour of two thousand years of Italian history demonstrates the same "effortless mastery" they chronicle in the fascinating men and women who people their book.

The 50 essays are well chosen and cover the whole gamut of Italian genius - in art, in music, in science, in politics, in fashion...you name it. It's an excellent overview of Italy's contributions to world civilization that touches all the main bases. At the same time, it's a collection of self-contained essays, each a pleasure to read and each chock full of unexpected facts and anecdotes - the texture of history, or what I believe Ezra Pound called the "luminous detail."

Bottom line: Sprezzatura is learned and well-written - never dull or pedantic. Sure, the essays aren't all of the same quality. Some are merely very good, while most are superb. For anyone who knows Italy - its people and its history - Sprezzatura is a must. I've lived there, I've studied there, and I love this book. For anyone who doesn't know Italy but wants to, Sprezzatura is a must too. I can think of no better introduction.

Editorial Review:

A witty, erudite celebration of fifty great Italian cultural achievements that have significantly influenced Western civilization from the authors of What Are the Seven Wonders of the World?

“Sprezzatura,” or the art of effortless mastery, was coined in 1528 by Baldassare Castiglione in The Book of the Courtier. No one has demonstrated effortless mastery throughout history quite like the Italians. From the Roman calendar and the creator of the modern orchestra (Claudio Monteverdi) to the beginnings of ballet and the creator of modern political science (Niccolò Machiavelli), Sprezzatura highlights fifty great Italian cultural achievements in a series of fifty information-packed essays in chronological order.

Terrorism and the Illuminati: A Three Thousand Year History

David Livingstone

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Connecting the Conspiracy Dots 4 out of 5 stars.
14 of 14 people found this review helpful.

Covering a wide array of hot-button, often polarizing subjects such as Zionism, Nazism, radical terrorists factions, and where each fits into this highly controversial picture. Livingstone has delivered an important, albeit highly subjective book that's part history, part ideology/theology and part conspiracy theory. Terrorism and the Illuminati is an in-depth view of secret societies, terrorism and present day conflicts, from the perspective that all are interconnected, related and fueling each other, thus propelling the world towards a "clash of civilizations."

Terrorism and the Illuminati traces and connects individual groups such as the Holy Grail, Freemasonry, the Knights Templar and many others. Lords, legends, myths and elite bloodlines, when analyzed independently appear insignificant and are easily ignored. However, when the dots are connected, a very different picture beings to come into focus. According to like-minded individuals, keeping these connections broken and the lines blurred, has allowed these secret societies and their members to operate in the shadows of a meticulously cultivated public image.
While many dismiss the idea of secret societies and a one world government as mere conspiracy theories run amok, many others would argue that is part of the plan. One should stop and remember the words of the commissioner regarding the catastrophic events of 9-11..."a failure of policy and a failure of imagination..." Thinking outside the box has always been a trait of forward thinking individuals and societies. Analyzing the ridiculous or outlandish has resulted in numerous discoveries and inventions that in retrospect have shaped communities, academics, governments and the world as a whole and their creator's are given the highest, most prestigious recognitions. Although the ideas presented in this book have been discussed for hundreds and hundreds of years, interest in these age-old theories is obviously still alive and well, as was demonstrated by the response to Dan Brown's book "The Da Vinci Code," as well as, the popularity of the subsequent movie, which was an international blockbuster.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy reading books about the occult, secret societies, one world conspiracies and it's possible link to terrorism. Also those who simply enjoy a challenging, thought provoking read that stimulates the mind. Terrorism and the Illuminati offers a strong starting point to begin your own research into this interesting, controversial discussion. Livingstone has included (at the end of the book) an exhaustive resource list that provides readers with lots of information, from a variety of sources.

(I picked up several typographical errors, however, these are not so egregious as to interrupt the flow of the dialogue to any substantial degree. The blame for such errors lands squarely with the editors and proof-readers.)

Editorial Review:

A three thousand year history of the occult, and it’s relationship with Islamic terrorism, towards the fomentation of a Clash of Civilizations.

Sources of the Western Tradition, Vol. 2: From the Renaissance to the Present

Marvin Perry, Joseph R. Peden, Theodore H. Von Laue

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Editorial Review:

With a collection of 300 sources--each accompanied by an introductory essay and review questions--this two-volume primary source reader emphasizes the history of ideas. The Sixth Edition features additional sources by and about women, as well as new attention to documents dealing with social and cultural issues. This reader works as an accompaniment to any Western Civilization course, but makes an ideal companion for Perry's Western Civilization, 7/e, or Western Civilization: A Brief History, 5/e.

The Mapmakers: Revised Edition

John Noble Wilford

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Where It's At 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I have always been fascinated by maps, as both sources of information and representations of nature's design. I'm glad I'm not alone in that regard, and anyone with an interest in maps or mapmaking will be intrigued by this heavily informative book. Wilford takes us from the very earliest maps of ancient times and lays out in-depth histories of all the uses, effects, and technologies of maps up to the present day. The early parts of the book also tell us about the often unexpected challenges faced by mapmakers, such as drawing straight lines on the round Earth (which was later found to not be a perfect sphere anyway), projecting the round Earth onto flat maps, and the sheer enormity of the task of mapping the Earth itself. It turns out that these challenges even make many current maps inaccurate. Later chapters move into modern technologies such as radar or aerial photography, which are being used to more accurately map the Earth's landscapes, as well as the ocean floors and the surfaces of other planets. Just note that the second half of the book often slows down significantly with various technological descriptions of each new mapmaking tool or method, which may not tickle the fancy of non-scientific readers. But in any case, after this book you'll have a new appreciation for maps and their makers. [~doomsdayer520~]

Editorial Review:

In his classic text, two-time Pulitzer Prize—winner John Noble Wilford recounts the history of cartography from antiquity to the space age. With this revised edition, Wilford brings the story up to the present day, as he shows the impact of new technologies that make it possible for cartographers to go where no one has been before, from the deepest reaches of the universe (where astronomers are mapping time as well as space) to the inside of the human brain. These modern-day mapmakers join the many earlier adventurers–including ancient Greek stargazers, Renaissance seafarers, and the explorers who mapped the American West–whose exploits shape this dramatic story of human inventiveness and limitless curiosity.

Fandex Family Field Guides: The Wonders of The World: 46 Monuments of Civilization

Anthony M. Tung

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Editorial Review:

The Alhambra. Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock. The Taj Mahal, which bankrupted an empire in the name of love, and the Eiffel Tower, the first structure to surpass the height of the Great Pyramid of Cheops. Through monuments we learn about history, culture, the rise and fall of civilizations—for example, that to create the giant stone figures of Easter Island, up to 20,000 natives must have lived there before denuding the island’s rain forests and disappearing. Or that the bridges and canals of historic Amsterdam actually connect ninety man-made islands, making the city of merchants one giant dock and warehouse.

A subject perfectly attuned to the strengths of Fandex—its family-friendly format, die-cuts and illustrations, and lively educational essay-per-entry—The Wonders of the World is an essential introduction to our most magnificent buildings and monuments. From Egyptian pyramids to the International Space Station (the only man-made wonder not on earth), it covers 4,500 years of world history.

The authorship is impeccable—Anthony M. Tung is "a walking encyclopedia of the history, principles, and practices of urban preservation . . . a genius in [his] field," writes Tom Wolfe. The reach covers the whole world. And the information is fascinating: Did you know that the bronze for the dazzling Renaissance altar canopy of St. Peter's was stripped from the ancient Roman Pantheon? Or that the Himeji Castle in Japan was built to deceive, as a mile-square labyrinth of mazes, false floors, and spiraling alleys?

The Humanistic Tradition, Book 5

Gloria K. Fiero

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Poor source of detail 1 out of 5 stars.
5 of 8 people found this review helpful.

After using this book (as well as books 2 and 3) as texts for a class, I must say that I found all of them to be overrated and a poor choice of reference. The volumes contain nice photographs but are ineffective as textbooks. For example, as material is introduced a sudden segue to a new subject leaves the reader cold. I would not recommend any of this series to those who need detail. These books support a teaching methodology that relies upon mundane memorization of incidental information rather than comprehensive study.

Editorial Review:

The penultimate volume in this series chronicles the move towards modernism, covering the arts, politics, and philosophy from the end of the 1700s to the dawn of the twentieth century. Using literary and musical excerpts to illuminate discussions, Fiero addresses important events and discoveries of the nineteenth century world. Volume five begins with the art and literature of the Romantic era, and concludes with coverage of the shifting aesthetics of the late nineteenth century. As in previous volumes, Volume Five includes a range of vivid illustrations and images throughout the text to enhance the material.

The Classical World: An Epic History from Homer to Hadrian

Robin Lane Fox

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Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Sweeping history of the Classical World 4 out of 5 stars.
15 of 15 people found this review helpful.

Robin Lane Fox has authored a sweeping history of what he calls "The Classical World," from Homer's Greece to Hadrian's Roman Empire. While a work of such scope means that there cannot be great depth in discussing any point in that era; on the other hand, it provides a bird's eye view of issues, themes, and change over time. The author himself notes that (page xv): "It is a challenge to be asked to write a history of some none hundred years, especially when the evidence is so scattered and diverse, but it is a challenge which I have enjoyed."

Some definitional issues. Lane defines "The Classical World" as (page 1) ". . .the world of the ancient Greeks and Romans, some forty lifetimes before our own but still able to challenge us by a humanity shared with ours." Fox ceases his narrative with the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Why? Lane says (page 2): ". . .'classical literature' ends in his reign. . . ." Even more important Page 2), ". . .is that Hadrian himself was the emperor with the most evident classicizing tastes."

First, Fox focuses on three themes across this span of history--freedom, justice, and luxury. He believes that each of these--and the changes that occurred with time--can help explain the sweep of events.

Second, he divides the time span into several eras, and treats each separately, although noting how the themes of freedom, justice, and luxury play out in each. "The Archaic Greek World" begins with Homer's Greece and concludes with the great Persian Wars. The next time period is what Fox refers to As "The Classical Greek World." This period runs from the rise of democratic Athens, the Peloponnesian War, Socrates, the rise of Philip of Macedon. The next phase is what he terms "Hellenistic Worlds," beginning with Alexander the Great's incredible success and the development of one of the world's largest empires. This frame runs until the final struggles between Carthage and Rome. Fox then moves on to a discussion of "The Roman Republic." Here, he considers the increase in luxury in Rome, the intrigues among Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Caesar's death. He follows this with a discussion "From Republic to Empire." The chapters in this segment include the rise of Octavian (to Augustus), his conflicts with Mark Antony, the Civil War against the assassins of Caesar, and so on. The last portion of the book, "An Imperial World," traces the post-Augustan period, concluding with Hadrian's rule.

Under Hadrian, according to Fox (page 571): ". . .the two worlds of this book, the classical Greek and the Roman, came closely together. Hadrian's love of Greek culture is evident in his patronage, his favours for Greek cities (especially Athens) and his personal romantic life."

In a history as large as this, one sacrifices depth for breadth. It is interesting to note Fox's rather dismissive treatment of Julius Caesar and Octavian/Augustus, as compared with more sympathetic treatments of each in the recent biographies by Goldsworthy and Everitt. Also, Everitt's biography of Cicero provides greater depth on that key figure in the period of time when the Republic was moving toward Empire. All in all, this is a well written book and worth looking at by those interested in this slice of history.

Editorial Review:

The classical civilizations of Greece and Rome once dominated the world, and they continue to fascinate and inspire us. Classical art and architecture, drama and epic, philosophy and politics-these are the foundations of Western civilization. In The Classical World, eminent classicist Robin Lane Fox brilliantly chronicles this vast sweep of history from Homer to the reign of Hadrian. From the Peloponnesian War through the creation of Athenian democracy, from the turbulent empire of Alexander the Great to the creation of the Roman Empire and the emergence of Christianity, Fox serves as our witty and trenchant guide. He introduces us to extraordinary heroes and horrific villains, great thinkers and blood-thirsty tyrants. Throughout this vivid tour of two of the greatest civilizations the world has ever known, we remain in the hands of a great master.

An Introduction to Music and Art in the Western World

Milo Wold, Edmund Cykler, Gary Martin, James Miller

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Good for the class 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Brought it for a class have not used it out of those confines but good for what I brought it for.

Good overview 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is an excellent chronological overview of the art, music and architecture of the Western world. It's well written and the color illustrations are well chosen and helpful. All in all, it's a good way to brush up on a few thousand years of cultural history in a short time.

Editorial Review:

An Introduction to Music and Art in the Western World, 10th edition, is a clear and attractive guide to the great artists and composers of the West and the societies in which they lived and worked.